Tristana, the Yordle Gunner is a girl with a passion for explosions. She’s easily identifiable by her little figure which contrasts with the size of her weapon of choice: the cannon. Her skins show quite some variety in clothes selection as well as in cannon designs. To know more about Tristana’s trigger-happy styles blast off right into her skins’ review.

This splash art is a little tricky to analyse. On the one hand, it’s a simple re-colour of Classic Tristana. On the other hand, it’s a very well painted piece with good use of colour and perspective; in spite of the fact that a quarter of the piece is a simple patch of black. In the end, it should be taken as what it is: a simple modification of a good piece whose quality is heavily reliant on its source. Even in the realm of splash arts, re-colours are a possibility and while good looking, it’s a letdown.

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Conclusion:

With a casual style and some fancy stickers on Boomer Riot Girl Tristana aims for stylish looks of the superficial sort. The clothing is simple but comfortable, the kind to wear off-duty. The goggles are all show with those spikes and the earrings add some matching decoration that follows the general style; like her pink hair. Her cannon Boomer is modified to look like a hextech device with a certain antique air but modernized with the stickers.
All in all, the classic Tristana look is clear but the changes instil a more casual feel that goes well with Tristana’s carefree personality. While it’s not a skin that redefines her it adds something simple but nice to her style. Therefore, it’s a nice alternative to have around.

Earnest Elf Tristana

Category:

Legacy

Price:

520 RP

Concept:

Tristana dressed as a Santa elf.

Model:

Major model changes for Tristana and new model for her cannon Boomer.

Particles:

No new particles.

Animations:

No new animations.

Sounds:

No new sounds.

Splash Art:

Earnest Elf Tristana is a piece with background and foreground working in unison. The background sets the appropriate setting and mood of the piece. It’s a little blurry but the falling snow makes the effect reasonable. Tristana looks quite cute and suitably childish while holding a present; sitting on top of a chimney. The cartoon style is fitting and well done: the clothes show complex folds, different textures and her equipment clearly displays metal and wood. Consequently, this is an excellent splash art with great quality and a distinct style; one of League of Legends best.

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With an appealing new outfit and decorated cannon Tristana certainly looks like a Christmas elf. The pointy shoes with matching fur coat and large pointy cap tipped with a bell all are characteristic of an elf’s look. Added to Tristana’s cartoony aspect the concept is finely realized. In practice, it’s a change of clothes and cannon but it’s also well done. Therefore, it you like this yordle to display her Christmas spirit then Earnest Elf Tristana is a good choice.

Firefighter Tristana

Category:

Legacy, Legendary

Price:

1820 RP

Concept:

Tristana dressed as a cartoon fire-fighter.

Model:

Major model changes for Tristana and her cannon Boomer.

Particles:

New water effects for her abilities and auto-attack.

Animations:

No new animations.

Sounds:

New sounds for her abilities and auto-attack.

Splash Art:

Big black patches seem to be a staple of Tristana’s splash arts. In this piece it serves to contrast the light coming from the fire, presumably behind Tristana. However, a background of actual flames or some sort of building ablaze would’ve added a lot to the context. Despite the simplistic background, Tristana is very well drawn with great colouring and lighting. It’s a bit strange then, that the quality of the water leaking from her cannon doesn’t match her depiction. In conclusion, a very nice portrait of Tristana that could’ve, or even should’ve, had a better frame.

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Conclusion:

With plain but effective changes Tristana becomes a firefighter with a penchant for explosive, high-pressure water. The classic look of hat and uniform as well as the cannon turned fog nozzle work in tandem with her yordle physique to represent a comical firefighter. However, the fire extinguisher on her back strikes as an idea that seemed funnier on paper; a tank for a breathing apparatus would’ve made more sense.
The addition of water-based particles and sounds help bring the theme to life and adds a distinct style to the skin. Unfortunately, there’s nothing else and while both particles and sounds are rather good a legendary skin is expected to go far beyond this point.
In conclusion, Firefighter Tristana is a nice skin with a disproportionate price. The cartoon firefighter style is appealing with a correct model and effective particles and sounds. However, even as a retired, legacy skin the price is a huge obstacle. If you like Firefighter Tristana then get it on sale.

Guerilla Tristana

Category:

Regular

Price:

975 RP

Concept:

Tristana dressed as a guerrilla fighter.

Model:

Major model changes for Tristana and her cannon Boomer.

Particles:

No new particles.

Animations:

No new animations.

Sounds:

No new sounds.

Splash Art:

To the right of a compulsory patch of black, Tristana leans against her cannon, holding a torch in the jungle. The background is a good complement but it looks sketchy, drab and blurry. Tristana is well depicted but there are some issues, especially the area of her face closest to the torch. Regardless, it has adequate lighting and reflections that salvage the quality of the piece. In summary, a good base that seems not to have been sufficiently exploited to make a wonderful splash art.

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With commando clothes, a red headband and a huge cannon Tristana only needs to exclaim that this is her war to make Rambo her surname. The modern aesthetic of her clothes give the Gunner a feel that is only a little tougher as the cartoon base remains. The cannon looks sober but is appealing even if it can look simple. Actually, perhaps a bazooka would’ve been a better choice than a, perhaps, old cannon; though it makes sense for a guerrilla to use whatever they can.
All added together, Guerilla Tristana, bad spelling an all, is a cute version of a tough, cannon-wielding action heroine. Unfortunately, the price is too high for just model changes so, while it has some appeal, it’s a skin that’s better avoided until it’s more reasonably appraised.

Buccaneer Tristana

Category:

Regular

Price:

520 RP

Concept:

Tristana dressed as a cannon-wielding pirate.

Model:

Major model changes for Tristana and new model for her cannon Boomer.

Particles:

No new particles.

Animations:

No new animations.

Sounds:

No new sounds.

Splash Art:

It could be said that the absence of a black patch of nothingness is a good indication of the potential of this piece. In actuality, the piece is quite well rendered with excellent use of colours, reflections and an superb background that perfectly frames the action. The background is far from simple with ample amount of details showing the destruction onboard. Tristana looks great, from her strands of hair to the cracks on her cannon; even the fire coming from it is complex. Buccaneer Tristana is undoubtedly and awesome piece and one of League of Legend’s best splash arts; at last.

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Conclusion:

Thanks to an effective choice of clothes Buccaneer Tristana nicely captures the style of a corsair. The attractive and colourful clothing effectively represents the classic depiction of a pirate; which is cemented by the unavoidable eye-patch and a couple of handy rum bottles. Her cannon Boomer follows suit by recreating the appearance of the ship counterpart of the era. Still, it looks somewhat dull and uninteresting despite befitting the idea.
All things considered, Buccaneer Tristana is a modest but attractive skin that offers a decidedly cartoony but appealing pirate lady. The idea could certainly be elaborated further but, for its price, it’s a great choice.

Rocket Girl Tristana

Category:

Regular

Price:

975 RP

Concept:

Tristana wearing a jumpsuit and visor and wielding a rocket launcher.

Model:

Major model changes for Tristana and new model for her cannon Boomer.

Particles:

New particles for her auto-attack and abilities.

Animations:

No new animations.

Sounds:

New sound for her auto-attack and abilities.

Splash Art:

The background is a simple cloudy sky and even though there’s a good amount of detail on the cloud formations there really isn’t much to see. Tritana appears to the right as if rocket-jumping. Her portrayal is adequate: the rocket launcher is clearly visible in all its technological glory as well as her apparel. The jumpsuit is alright but the rocket in her back is almost completely covered; still it’s a logical compromise. Tristana’s face looks rather good with an ample smile and bright eyes. Overall, it’s a good splash art and serves as a portrayal but it doesn’t actually do much to stand out.

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Conclusion:

Changing cannonballs for rockets and adopting a vintage futuristic aesthetic Rocket Girl Tristana is an updated take on the explosive enthusiast yordle. The outfit isn’t very elaborate but is practical even if the rocket on her back appears precariously attached. Just as a visor replaces her goggles a rocket launcher takes the place of her cannon so Boomer becomes a modernized source of explosions.
Speaking of which, the new auto-attack particles clearly show the rocket theme as well as refining the explosive aspect a bit. The sounds do the same but they are a less noticeable. Nevertheless, both struggle to stand out versus the polished particles and sounds brought by the visual upgrade: the difference is there but is not always evident.
In the end, Rocket Girl Tristana is a great skin for fans of the former Megling Gunner and explosions. The visuals and sounds receive a different style but the core remains as appealing as always.

Conclusion

Tristana has very different looking skins available at all price ranges, unfortunately the quality of the skins also covers all available ranges. Rocket Girl Tristana is the recommended skin as it keeps her core while updating the visual aspect with a futuristic style. Both visual and aural sides are adapted with rockets and though they don’t shine as much as they can the result is certainly worthwhile.

Buccaneer Tristana is also a good alternative: great concept and execution at an affordable price. Guerilla Tristana is not a bad skin but it is overpriced; which is something difficult to overlook considering what it offers. Earnest Elf is a fine option for those wanting to add some Christmas spirit in explosive yordle form. Finally, Firefighter Tristana is a skin with a distinct appeal and too high a price; if you like it then catch it on sale.

Unfortunately, we can’t influence which skins are made available as we aren’t affiliated with Riot.

However, Firefighter Tristana is a legacy skin which means that it can return on legacy sales. By the end of last year there was a huge sale that included Firefighter Tristana. Therefore, by the end of this year it could be made available again on a similar sale.

We are sorry we can’t help more but with some patience and attention to sales you might find Firefighter Tristana available again.

Sometimes wierd stuff happens, like the format of comments not working correctly or we don’t see a comment that’s staring right back at us. Don’t worry, it’s just another of the mysteries of cyberspace.

We are a bit delayed with visual upgrades but we intend to review Tristana’s skins. The review isn’t updated yet but we’ll try to update it fully. Lately getting skin images has been more difficult that it should but hopefully we’ll find a way to do it.